Coin-controlled dispenser



Jan. 24, 1928. 1,657,418

E. V. STATIA COIN CONTROLLED DISPENSER Filed Dec. 17. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l v INVENTOR. Edward. I Sfafi'd A TTORNE Y.

Jan. 24, 1928.

E. V. STATIA COIN CQNTROLLED DISPENSER Filed Dec. 17, 1925 X 2 Sheets-$heet 2 INVENITOR.

Edward. 1 sfafzcz.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES EDWARD VANCE STATIA, or nn'rnorn, MICHIGAN.

COIN-CONTROLLED DISPENSER.

Appiication filed December 17. 19 25. Serial No. 75,909.

This invent-ion relates to coin controlled fluid dispensers and relates particularly to coin cont-rolled soap dispensing devices.

It. is an object of the invention to provide a device which, Isubject to the introduction of a coin of proper denomination, is operable to dischargea definite amount of semiliquid soap or some similar commodity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the described character having a lever for actuating the discharge mechanism and preventing return movement of said lever until the same has been moved a predetermined distance. 1

Still another object is to provide a coin controlled dispensing device in which control by a coin is accomplished by establishing a drive connection through the coin between two parts of the mechanism.

A further object is to provide for the I dispensing of aliquid or semi-liquid by travel of a piston actuableby a threaded stem adapted to be acted upon by a feed nut and to provide means normally restraining said stem from rotation, releasable to provide for a return travel of the piston.

These and various other objects will be apparent from the following description wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred em bodiment of my invention.

Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of a dispensing de vice embodying the invention. i

Figure 2 is a cross sectional detailtaken on line 22 of Figure 1 and showing a perforated disc which obstructs the discharge spout of the device.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken upon the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing an actuating element for the discharge mechanism slotted to receive a coin.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross section on line 5-5 of Figure 5 showing the provision for utilizing a coin to establish a drive.

Figure 6 is a cross section on line 66 of Figure 5 showing releasable means for normally holding a threaded stem from rotation.

In these views the reference character 1 designates a cylindrical receptacle for semiliquid soap or some similar commodity, said receptacle having the permanently applied conical bottom 2 and having the discharge spout 3 centrally communicating with said bottom. V 1

The upper end of the receptacle 1 is adapted to be closed by a two-part cap comprising upper and lower members 4 and 5 jointly forming a closed chamber 6, said members being normally connected as a unit by one or more cap-screws 7 inserted from beneath the cap. A ring 8 is brazed or otherwise permanently securedexteriorly to the upper end portion of the receptacle 1 and the lower member, 5, is formed with. a marginal depending flange8 for embracing said ring. 7

A plunger 9 is adapted to be fed downwardly within the receptacle 1 to eject the contents thereof through the spout ;3, Said plunger being marginally equipped with a suitable packing ring 10 bearing upon the receptacle wall. For actuatingsaid plunger, a threaded stem 11 has its lower end rigidly secured within a central hub of said plunger, and extends. freely upward through the cap 4, 5, the parts 4 and 5 having openings 11 to accommodate said stem. The portion of. said stem projecting about said cap is received within a'tubular housing 12 closed at its upper end and secured at its lower extremity to thepart 4 of the cap by cap-screws 13, the heads of. which are concealed with-in said cap.

\Vithin the chamber 6 of the cap is disposed a circular feed nut 14, having a central threaded opening engaging the stem 11 and having an integral hub-15 projecting within said chamber from its top face. 16 is a circular drive plate for the nut 14 ar ranged above said nut within the chamber 6 and journaled upon the hub 15. A lever .17 projects radially outward from the plate 16 passing through a slot 18 formed in the under face of the part 4 of the cap. Said slot extends through a predetermined angle, which in the illustrated form of the invention is ninety degrees. 7

In a diametrically opposed relation to the lever 17, a coin-receiving slot 19 is formed in the plate 16, opening outwardly as well as upwardly and downwardly, and a pair of lugs 20 project integrally downward from said. plate at opposite sides of said slot. The nut 14 is formed peripherally with vertical slots 21, the circumferential spacing of which is equal to the are through which the lever 17 is movable. Thus in the illustrated embodiment of the invention the slots 21 are established from the plate 16 to the nut 14.

The reference character 22. designates a litting which surmounts the cap 4:, 5 being scoured to the niember'4 thereof by one or more'cap screws 22, the heads of which are concealed within said cap. Said fitting is formed with an inclined slot 23 open at both ends, and with a slot 23 downwardly extending from the slot 23 and registering with a slot 24 in the upper part at of the cap; When a coin of proper denomination is introduced-into the upper .end ofthe slot 23 it will drop through the slots 2; and 24 and will enter the registered slots 19 and 21 of the plate 16 and nut 14. Within an up-' wardly projecting portion 25 of the fitting 22 there is mounted a magnet 25. and in the event that steel or iron slugs or washers are fed into the slot 23 inan attempt to defraud .the machine,'they will be sufliciently sustained by the magnet 25 to carry them over the slot 23 so that they will be ejected from the lower end of the slot 23. I Y

26 designates a coiled spring set into a depression in the top face of the plate 16 and serving after actuation of said plate from the full line position to the dash line position both shown in Figure 3, to return said plate to the former position. 1 An an nular recess is formed in the under face of the nut 14 to accommodate a pair of leaf spring pawls 27 which are secured at diametrically opposed points to the lower part 5 of said cap and which engage a circle of ratchet teeth 28 formed upon the underface of the nut to prevent return-travel or the nut. The advantage of this will be herein: after more fully explained.

When a coin has been introduced into the device and has assumed the position shown in Figures 1 and 5, it rests upon a marginal portion of a slot 28 extending circumferentially in the lower part 5 of the cap through substantially ninety degrees and having an enlargement 28 at one end thereof. When the lever 17 and plate 16 are actuated from their normal positions shown in full lines in Figure 3 to the dash line 'position shown in said figure, the coin which has been entered at the slots 19 and 21 establishes a drive from said plate to the nut 14, rotating the latter through ninety degrees. When 7 such rotation is completed the coin comes into registration with the enlarged end opening 28 of the slot 28*, and drops through said opening upon the plunger 9.

A provision is made for locking the cap l, 5 upon the receptacle 1 for the purpose both of preventing theft of any coins accumulated For normally locking the stem 11 and.

plunger 9 from rotation, said stemis formed j with a keyway 31 and a key 32 upon aplate 33, through which said stem passes, freely enters saidkeyway. The plate 33 rests normally-upon' the heads .34. otia pair of cap screws 35 which. project downwardly from the lower'memberfi of thecap at opposite sides of the stem and a pair of leaf springs 36 are each mounted at one end upon one of said cap screws andhooked at the other end to releasably engage saidplate for holding the plate from rotation.

37 designates a pair of brackets secured to the receptacle 1 for the purpose of mounting'the latter upon any suitable support.

Considering now'the operation of the dcscribed device, it isfirst to be understood that any manipulation offthe lever 17 without prior insertionof the proper coin has the e1"- fect merely of rocking. the plate 16 without resulting rotation of the feed nut 14. If. however, a suitable coin has been introduced into the slot 23- and has assumed the position shown in Figures 1 and 5, manipulation of the lever 17 will then turn the nut 14 since the coin in its. specified position'establishcs a drive connection between the plate 16 and the nut 14.- A full stroke movement of the lever 17 is-productive of a quarter turn of the said nut and results in a predetern'iined lowering of the plunger 9 due to the action of the feed nut upon the stem 11. The downward actuation of the plungerQ is such as to eject through the spout 3 a predetermined 'quantity of the soap or other commodity with whichthe receptacle is charged. \Vhile the lever 17 is being actuated as above described, the coin 21 is supported upon-the margin of the slot 28 and thus retained within the slots19and721. As the lever, however, reaches the endof its quarter-turn strokethe coin21 comes into registration with the enlarged end portion 28* of the slot 28" and falls through said enlargement. When the lever is now released, it is free of the nut 14 and will be at once returned to its initial position bythecoiled. spring If after feeding the proper coin into the described device the lever 17 could be operated back and forth from its initial position through an angle l'essthan a quarter turn, the coin would not: have opportunity to drop out andthere would. be no limit 7 device being thus defrauded the pawls 27 are provided to prevent return motion of the nut 14 and of the lever 17 so long as the coin establishes a drive connection from said lever to said nut.

When it is desired to recharge the device the lock 30 is removed and the cap 4, 5 and plunger 9 are removed as a unit. The operator then releases the hooked ends of the springs 36 from the plate 33 and after rocking said plate to the dash line position shown in Figure 6 said plate may he slid down upon the stem 11 clear of the cap screws 35. The operator may then freely turn the plunger 9 and stem 11 so as to feed said stem upwardly through the nut to its initial position.

38 designates a perforated disc which is inserted in the spout 3 and prevents insertion of any implement through said spout for the purpose of drawing out the con.

tents of the spout.

The described mechanism is of relatively simple construction and yet affords a. reliable control of the dispensing device by insertion of a suitable coin. A feature of the invention is the mounting of the entire control mechanism in a removable cap and it is also a desirable feature to utilize the plunger which urges the commodity vended by the device as a support for the coins accumulating within the device. 7

From the foregoing it becomes evident that the device is very simple and efficient and provides a device which acomplishes the objects described.

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiment of my invention herein disclosed is well calculated to adequately fulfill the objects and advantages primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is: a

1. A coin controlled dispensing device comprising a receptacle having a charging opening and an outlet, a plunger movable in said receptacle toward said outlet, a cap for normally closing said charging opening, a stem connected to said plunger extending through said cap, and projecting above the cap, a tubular housing for the projecting portion of the stem surmounting the cap, step by step actuating mechanism for the plunger carried by the cap and acting upon said stem, said mechanism comprising a driving and a driven member normally disconnected, and means for introducing a coin into said cap to a position connecting said members.

2. A coin controlled dispensing mecha nism comprising a receptacle having a charging opening and an outlet for a commodity to be dispensed, a plunger movable within said receptacle toward said outlet, a cap normally closing, said charging opening, a threaded stem extending from said plunger through said cap, means normally restraining the stem from rotation, a rotatable feed nut engaging said stem and restrained by said cap from travel lengthwise of the stem, an actuating element for said feed nut normally freely rotative relative to the feed nut, said drive element and the nut being adapted to be connected for actuation of the latter by a coin inserted in the cap, and means for supporting the coin in its drive establishing position during a predetermined portion of the travel of the drive element.

3. A coin controlled dispensing mechanism comprising a receptacle having a charging opening and an outlet for a commodity to be dispensed, a plunger movable in said receptacle toward said outlet, a cap normally closing said charging opening, a

threaded stem connected'to said plunger and entering said cap, a rotatable feed nut engaging said stem and restrained by said cap from travel lengthwise of the stem, means restraining said stem from rotation, a lever pivoted coaxially with said feed nut within said cap and projecting from the cap, the latter being circumferentially slotted to afford said lever a limited oscillating movement, the cap having a coin inlet and the feed nut and lever being adapted to be interlocked for driving purposes by a coin introduced through said inlet, means carried by the cap for supporting a coin so introduced in its interlocking position during rocking of said lever from its initial to its final position, said means being adapted to release said coin in the final position of the lever, and means preventing return actuation of the said nut.

4. A coin controlled dispensing mechanism comprising a receptacle having a charging opening and an outlet for a commodity to be dispensed, a plunger movable in said receptacle toward said outlet, a cap for said charging opening normally closing said opening and detachable from the receptacle means for normally locking said cap from removal, a threaded stem connected to said plunger and entering said cap, a rotatable'feed nut engaging said stem and restrained by said cap from travel longitudinally of the stem, means restraining said stem from rotation, an actuating member for said feed nut, journaled co-axially with the cap adjacent thereto and having a portion projecting exteriorly of the cap, the cap be- 1ng slotted circumferentially to provide for a limited locking of said actuating member, the cap being further formed with a coin slot adjacent to the periphery of the fed nut and actuating member, means carried by the ca for supporting a coin in its drive establis ing position during actuation of the lever from its initial to its final position, the cap being formed with an opening into the re ceptac'le for discharging the coin, the coin Ieg'isteri'n with said openinginthe po- 815M011 of t clever.

5. A coin controlled dispensing device comprising a receptacle having an outlet for a commodlty to be dispensed, and having a charging opening, a cap closing said opening removably seated upon said receptacle and comp-risingan upper and a; lower part joint-1 y forming a closed chamber, fastening means connecting said parts, threaded stem attached to said plunger and extending through said chamber of the cap, a rotated feed nut within said chamber and engaging said stem, a drive member for sztid nut within said chamber adjacent to said nut and normally rota/C ive freely about the axis of the nut, a-n actuating member for saiddirive member projecting from the cup, the outer member of the cap being formed with a slotfor admitting as coin to said; chamber, and the feed nut, and said driving member being adapted for driving engagement through a coin so admitted, the inner member of the cap having an opening for discharging said coin in a final position of actuation of the drive member.

6. A coin controlled dispensing device comprising a receptacle having an outlet and a charging opening for a commodity to be dispensed, a plunger movable in said receptacl'e toward said charging opening, a cap mounted upon the receptacle and closing said charging opening; it threaded stem attached" to said plunger and protecting through said cap, a rotatable feed nut engaging said stem and restrained from travel longitudinally of the stemby said cap, a drive member for said nut normally freely rotutive (re-axially of said nut, an actuating element said drive member projecting enteri-orly of the cup, said nut and drive met-nber having registrab-le slots, and the cap having a coin slot with which said slots of the drive member and nut are registrablein an lnltlal position of the drive member, and

the cap being further formed with a coin outlet with which said slots'oit the nut and drive member are registrable in n final position of the drive member.

7. A coin controlled dispensing mechanism, comprising a receptacle having a charging opening and an outlet for av commodity to be dispensed, a plunger movable in said receptacle towards said outlet, a cap mounted upon said receptacle, and closing the charging opening thereof, comprising upper an d lower parts, fastening means connecting said parts, :t threaded stein'engaging said plunger and extending through said cap, a nut within the cap engaging said threaded stem, coin controlled menns for effecting a step by step actuation of the nut, means carriedby the cap tl ierebeneath restraining thestem from rotation, and means within the cap restraining the nut from reverse rotation.

8. A coin controlled dispensin mocks nism, comprising 2 receptacle loving a churging'opening and an outlet for a commodity to be dispensed, n plunger movable in said receptacle towards said outlet, a hollow cap surmounting'said receptacle and closing said charging opening, a stem' extending from said plunger through the cap, n nut rotatable in said cap and engaging sa idstem, am actuating member tor the nut mounted adjacent thereto, and having a slotted pro-.

hand. I v

EDWARD VANCE STATIA. 

